Often, I am as a slave,
or one in exile –
but I am a slave
doing Your work,
in exile on a mission, for You.
Mostly, the mission is unknown
to me – but I trust
it’s being accomplished
with Your strength.
Always, I am Yours,
grateful to do Your work
and share Your love
in this world.
Posted in Poetry
“Be amazed at this, O heavens, and shudder with sheer horror, says the Lord. Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:12-13)
Those who seek God find a never-ending source of divine food and water for the soul. God can be found outside ourselves – in the beauty of nature or in loving relationships, for example – or within ourselves through the peace and joy of deep prayer and meditation. Something within us knows only God can really satisfy us.
God is living water, always fresh, always new. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. . . . streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38). True seekers of any religion know this. Yet like Israel of old, addressed by Jeremiah, we wander off in search of satisfaction in mortal beings and soon-to-be-broken material objects.
We take a sip of God, say to ourselves, “That was great!” and then go running off in search of “more” in a rich meal, a sexual encounter, a new outfit, the latest movie, or whatever. Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with food/drink, sex, or material objects. They are all part of God’s creation, given to us as part of life in this world. But we are not meant to run after such things, to allow them to become gods we worship instead of the One True God.
The “trouble” with God (if I may say so) is that God quenches our thirst and yet always leaves us wanting more. We become impatient because we want complete satisfaction and we want it NOW. We have difficulty being content staying where we are and obeying the Lord when He tells us: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). God is exalted within.
Our task is learning to accept the fact that only God satisfies us – and yet we will always feel somewhat dissatisfied in this world. Something will always be missing. That “something” is the fullness of God in eternity. Until then, may we be content to pray with David, “As the deer longs for running streams, so my soul longs for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?” (Psalm 42:1-2).
Dear Lord, forgive us for running after idols in our weakness (which is every day). Please see the true intention of our heart – to run after You – and help us be faithful to You. Amen. Aum….
Posted in Spiritual Life | Tags: broken cisterns, Jeremiah, longing for God, Psalms
I dreamed of a white room,
my heart filled with peace.
Life lost all its gloom.
No image of a womb.
My joy did increase –
I dreamed of a white room.
Soaring out of my tomb
as a flock of geese.
Life lost all its gloom.
Sheer curtains as an heirloom,
palm trees as if in Greece –
I dreamed of a white room.
I wonder, cannot assume,
where is this masterpiece?
Life lost all its gloom.
I desire this perfume –
my soul to release.
I dreamed of a white room.
Life lost all its gloom.
Adam and Eve, plus the apple,
severed, they say, our union
with God. Mysterious tree
of knowledge, set to growing
at Garden’s center – sole
woe of humans in life’s flow.
But at the cider mill, a flowing
timelessness: Crush of apples
to quench mortal thirst. My soul
finds peace in memories of union
with God – in other lives grown
like vines in my mind. Apple trees,
Heavy with fruit: We know trees
give life. Rippling river flows,
carrying to grass, flowers, growth-
promises, and ripening apples
under autumn’s sun. This unity
within nature consoles my soul.
What use to question the sole
purpose of life or the tall trees
of our karma? I know reunion
is our goal, to re-enter the flow:
Making peace with tempting apples,
we master lessons for growth.
Sweet cider, crisp air, my growing
calm beside water-wheel’s soul-
expanding comfort. Cider of apples
opens my mind like branches of trees,
welcoming heaven. Even a tart fluid,
now, has full potential to unite
Me with You. My God, you are Unity
in Trinity. The past, the future, grow
together in the present – flowing
beyond monasteries in my soul.
Karmic debt nailed to a tree,
my palm offers a shiny apple.
You created the apple as well as the tree.
You freed our souls in time’s ongoing flow:
My heart, grown, praises for reunion.
Posted in Poetry
August 22nd:
Suddenly sucked into a vortex –
the date of hermitage entrance –
blackened pit of dread and despair.
Swimming yet sighing,
oh my weakness, fatigue.
Let me sleep.
Bound by discouragement,
I still want God –
five years later, yes,
I strive and breathe.
Posted in Poetry
St. Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In order to pray continually, we must develop the ability to pray whether we’re sitting alone quietly or whether we’re busy at work or visiting with friends or caring for family members. Any time. Any place.
John asked me today if God would be offended if we prayed to Him while busy wiping our butt. (LOL – only John can come up with this stuff!)
I said: “No, God doesn’t mind if we pray while using the bathroom.”
“Aren’t we supposed to avoid distractions while praying? Wiping the ass is distracting.”
“There’s no such thing as totally un-distracted prayer. The mind constantly wanders. God looks at our intention to be at prayer and to do our best.”
John: “I dunno. I can hear some ancient prophet yelling, ‘How dare ye pray to the LORD while wiping thine ass!! He will strike you dead on the spot!!'”
Hahahaa!
Well, I say God hears our prayers regardless of where we are or what we’re doing at the time. Our butts can be anywhere as long as we raise our minds and hearts to the Lord. Amen.
Posted in Spiritual Life | Tags: distractions in meditation, pray without ceasing, prayer, Religion & Spirituality
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (Isaiah 2:4)
This “indictment” of the U.S. Government was released by the Plowshares protest group that entered the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, TN on July 28, 2012. May we not allow ourselves to be blind to what goes on, where money is spent, or how life is impacted. Pray for peace! Protest for peace!
———————————–
Today, through our nonviolent action, we–Transform Now Plowshares–indict the U.S. government nuclear modernization program, including the new Uranium Processing Facility planned at Oak Ridge and the dedication of billions of public dollars to the continuation of the Y-12 facility.
WHEREAS, This program is an ongoing criminal endeavor in violation of international treaty law binding on the United States under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article VI):
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
WHEREAS, The United States is bound by the United Nation’s Charter, ratified and signed in 1945. Its preamble affirms that its purpose is to “save future generations from the scourge of war”. It directs that “all nations shall refrain from the use of force against another nation”. Article II regards the threat to use nuclear weapons as ongoing international criminal activity.
WHEREAS, The Nuremberg Principles, also promulgated in 1945, primarily by the U.S., prohibit crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. They render nuclear weapons systems prohibited, illegal, and criminal under all circumstances and for any reason.
WHEREAS, The U.S. government is obligated as well by the Non Proliferation Treaty, in force since 1970 that requires the signers to pursue negotiations in good faith and to eliminate nuclear weapons at an early date. The U.S. government is also obligated by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits full-scale nuclear explosions.
THEREFORE, The work planned at Oak Ridge violates all these agreements and is thus criminal.
Oak Ridge Y-12 is slated to receive more than $6.5 billion in federal funding over the next decade for continuing nuclear weapons production. The new Uranium Processing Facility is expected to sustain a nuclear arsenal of 3000-3500 weapons beyond the middle of the century. Additional production facilities are sought as well. Instead of eliminating nuclear weaponry, Oak Ridge Y-12 perpetuates it through the nuclear modernization program.
Against these continuing violations of treaty law, we assert our human right to civil resistance. Furthermore we affirm as crucial the human right to be free from these crimes. The Nuremberg Principles not only prohibit such crimes but oblige those of us aware of the crime to act against it. “Complicity in the commission of a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity…is a crime under International Law”.
The ongoing building and maintenance of Oak Ridge Y-12 constitute war crimes that can and should be investigated and prosecuted by judicial authorities at all levels. We are required by International Law to denounce and resist known crimes.
For the sake of the whole human family threatened by nuclear weapons, and for the sake of our Planet Earth, which is abused and violated, we indict the Oak Ridge Y-12 nuclear weapon facility and all government officials, agencies, and contractors as responsible for perpetuating these war crimes.
Okay, here’s a little light-hearted Villanelle for your enjoyment:
Life of Words
Ah! Joy of written words.
You clamor for the page.
Indeed you must be heard.
I refuse to be absurd
As you fly from your cage.
Ah! Joy of written words.
You make me sing like a bird,
Present you on a stage.
Indeed you must be heard.
What else could I prefer?
(Just don’t call me a sage.)
Ah! Joy of written words.
Your place with me not third.
First, you are – to lighten rage.
Indeed you must be heard.
Thanks to you, I’m ungird –
Each moment I engage.
Ah! Joy of written words.
Indeed you must be heard.
Posted in Poetry
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8)
Is it not comforting to know that God notes our sorrows and tears?
Everyone deals with some combination of physical, mental or spiritual challenges. Although for our own good, God cannot put an end to the trials and difficulties of this life, He sees our suffering and He knows what is in our hearts as a result: animosity or compassion. Our tears are so precious to Him that He collects them and keeps them in a bottle. He remembers what we endure and He showers us with His pure love and peace.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Posted in Spiritual Life | Tags: Psalm 56, Religion and Spirituality, Romans 8
Yoga means union (to yoke) with God. The Yoga tradition has many paths to God – and practitioners are allowed to follow whatever path seems most suitable to their personality and tendencies. Three of the paths (in particular) work well with any religion or spirituality.
Karma Yoga – selfless service. This means laboring, building, serving. Basically, it’s doing whatever work needs to be done for the good of others, without expectation of return or gratitude.
Jnana Yoga – knowledge, wisdom. This means studying, reading, writing. It means building a store of wisdom which can be shared (at proper times and in acceptable situations) for the good of souls.
Bhakti Yoga – devotion. This includes praying, singing/chanting, and meditating. It means worshiping and loving God via external and internal practices.
Practitioners follow all three of these paths to some degree, but may feel a definite connection to one or two of the paths. For example, my natural path is bhakti, followed closely by jnana, and then karma.
All three paths are good. We should discover what works best for us (not what we “think” we “should” do!) and follow that path or combination of paths. What works well for one person may be completely unsuited to someone else. Spiritual teachers, guides, and friends who know us well can help us discover our path(s) and encourage us on our way. Plus, we can always trust our own intuition.
May we find our path and follow it faithfully.
Posted in Spiritual Life, Yoga | Tags: Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga, Karma Yoga, Religion and Spirituality
John and Lisa's Blue Skies Blog - Soaring with God 